Cutting and welding torch



May l2, i925. A n

J. D. MCCUTCHEON CUTTING AND WELDING TORCH May 2, 1925.

J.D.MCCUTCHEON CUTTING AND WELDING TORCH Filed Jan. 20, 1923- 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WJTNKSSESS INVENTGR gaa?.

ljatented liviay l2, like..

iran stares JAIVIES D. MCCUTCHEON, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

isaiasi serena carica.

CUTTING AND WELDING- TORCH.

Application filed January 2o, i923. serial No. 613,874.

raising the material acted upon to the necessary temperature to enable the cutting operation to be performed.

It is an object of the invention to pro`v vide a cutting torch which is simple, com` pact and durable, which can be manufactured at anominal cost, which will not A-casily get out of oider,.wliich is convenient tp ainanipulate, and yhich is highlyeti-v cient in operation.

vWith torches'of the character referred to, it ,is highly desirable to be able to reduce or control the flow of heating gases during the time the flow of cutting` gases is supplied, to diminish the ilowlfof heating gases siinu ltaiieously with the increase in the supply of the cutting gases', or in some instances to vary the flow of the respective gases independently of each other. It is a special objectief the invention to'provide a device which .will enable the operator to readily control both the heating and cutting jets at Will, leither to effect a reduction in thesize of-*the'heating jet while simultaneously increasing the size of the cutting jet, the discontinuance of the heating jet-"during the cutting operation, or the independent control of both jets to vary their respective intensities.

It is a further special object to provide a torch which is neat in appearance, in which the several' conti-ol means are conveniently located so as not to render the device cumbersoine and awkward to use and attlie saine time will readily respond tothe initial actuating element which itself is disposed adjacent the liandlc ofthe device so as -to he easily manipulated by the hand which' grips the torch.

. It is still a further special object'to pro- -vide a torch in which the cutting and heating gases may loel selectively controlled either simultaneously or independently of each other by an actuating device atoall times within the easyireacli of and capable of being actuated by the hand of the operator grasping the torch.

. These and other objects of the invention will more fully appear when taken-in conjunction with the following description and the appended claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a side eleva-vk tion illustrating one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 a longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, of the device illustrated in Fig. l; Fig. 3 an end elevation looking in the direction of the arrows IIL-III ofV Fig.'2; Fig. 4 a transverse sectional lview taken on the line IV-.IV of Fig. 2; vF ig. 5 a similar view taken on the lineVV ot Fig. 2; Fig. 6 a longitudinal section illustrating a modified -forni of the inven-v tion; Fig. 7 a similar view cfa stilly fur- `y ther modified orin of the invention; Fig.

8 a detailed vie'w of the hand-actuated`con trol lever taken 0n theline VIH-VIII of Fig. 7; and Figs. 9 and l0 transverse sectional views taken on the lines IX--IXv and X-X, respectively, of Fig. 7.

Referring to the embodiment illustrated' in Figs. l 'to 5, the torch comprises the handle portion designated generally by the reference numeral l, and the head 2,pro-" videdwith thenozzle 3 attached thereto which is adapted to deliver the jets of cutting aiidheating gases, the head being connectcd to the handle by means ofthe pipesv 4 and 5, thus/forming a unitary structure.

The pipe 4 serves t0 deliver'the vcutting gases to the,I nozzle, while pipe 5 vdelivers the' heating gasesthereto. The head illustrated isof well known construction, be-p. ving provided with suitable passages for conducting the cutting gases to the central tube 6 and for delivering the heating gases to' fthe annular space formed between the exterior of the tube G and the interior of the outer tube 7 of the nozzle, the inner extremity of the tube 6 b'eing threaded into the body of the head as shown at 8,and

the outer tube -7 being held in position by Y the head nut 9 threaded upon the reduced 05 portion 10, all in accordance with Well known constructions. 1

ioo

The handle portion l comprises a base" casting 1l at one end provided with the nipples 12 and V"13 to A'which are attached with the bore of the therespectiif'e tubes 14 and 15 conveyiiig the cutting and fuel gases from their' sources of supply, the cutting gas being supplied through the tube 14, while the uel gas -enters themtorch by means of the tube 15. The endof the handle portion opposite the base castinwll consists of a closure plate 16 provided at its upper portion with the ear or lug` to which the control lever 18 is pivoted..` Extending between the base casting and the" closure plate are the grips 19 Which are attached at theii` opposite ends in any suitablel, way toA the base casting and closure plate orming a cylindrical `casing therebetween vhich not only serves as a convenient Vn torch, but also tory rousing portions of the con-trol apparatus'tb be presently described. Located within the interior of the handlecasing and intermediate the base casting and closure plate 16 is a valve block 2O with passagesiyentending therethrough, to the exit end ofqoiie ofywhich the pipe 4 is connected, whiley the pipe 5 is similarly connected to the other. `A pipe 21v connects at one end nipple 12 and at its opposite end with the inlet of the passage from .which.the pipe'4 leads tor the purpose of supplying the cutting gas. Interposed between the Valve block 2O and the base castingi 11 is a second block 22 -provided with the passages 23 and 24, the passages leading to a common chamber 25 adjacent one end otl the block. The chamber 25 is connected by the pipe 26 with the inlet side of the passage ot the valve block 20 from which the pipe 5 extends. The endet the passage 23 adjacent the base castin is connected to a duct or branch passage 2 ,in communication with the bore of the nipple.12, by means of the pipe 28, While the passage 24 is connected to a duct,S leading from the bore ot the nipple 13 by a similar pipe 29. Fitting within a suitably formed recess and intersecting the passage 24 is a plug 30 provided with a longi- `tudinal duct 81 and a plurality of radially extending branch ducts 32. This plug is threaded into thebody of the block as in dicated at 33, and serves as a means tor limiting the -low of the fue] gases from the tube 15 to the pipe 26, and in addition serves as a means for preventing back-tiring beyond the point at :which it is located, in 'a well known manner. f

The flow ot"' .i itt'1iig `(ras from the pipe 21 to pipe 4, and the4 How of the heating gas from pipe to pipe 5 is controlled by suitably constructed valves interposed in the passages yoi' the valve block 2O connecting the said pairs of pipes. These valves are ot identical construction and consist of a conic'al swivel point or head 34 swiveled to the )stem 35,5 the intermediate portion of the stem being threaded while its outer entfernhns for grasping the' ity is in the form of a spur pinion 36. The threaded portion ot the stemis adapted to cooperate with correspondingly internally unseat swivel heads cially formed racks are employed. AThe rack 4()a employed for actuating the valve interposed in the supply line for the heating gases is illustrated in Fig. 4, while that employed for actuating the valve interposed in the supply line for thecutting gases -is. shown at 40b in Fig.4 5. These racks are somewhat similar in construction, being pro vided with elongated slots 41, 41, respectively and having projecting from their closed lowerends the fingers 42, 42 which extend through guide openings formed in the grip members ot the handle, a coil spring 43, 43 being interposed between the body ot the rack and the grip, the spring surrounding the saidinger and normally urging the racks in an upward direction. Rack teeth 44 are formed at one side of the slot 41 throughout a portion ot its length which are adapted to mesh with the spur pinion 36 formed on the end ot the valve stem. Both racks project upwardly through suitable guide openings in posed diametrically opposite the holes through which the fingers 42, 42 project. The rack illustrated in Fig. 4 is provided at its upper extremity with a thumb piece 45 which is connected tothe body otl the rack by4 means of the reduced portion 46,r` while the rack illustrated in Fig. 5 is merely closed at its upper end 47 by joiningthe two limbs forming the opposite sides of v,the slot 41. It is to be noted, however, that the rack teeth 45 of rack 40b are disposed at the opposite side oit the slot'41 to that upon which the teeth 44 are located, whereby reciprocation of the racks will result in r-otating the valvestems in opposite directions whenA moved either upwardly or 'down-- extremities of which are -pivoted to the 4ear or lug 17. The upper closed end 47 of the rack 40" is Vadapted to bridge the space Vbe- 1t is thus the grips 19, dis=` movement 'ot' the detail in Fig. 8, and

ever' the handle 18' l 10.\vith an open :ended slot 50 4for receiving adapted to be actuated by Y acetylene,

.46, and the .limb 18.1v

tween lthe limbs 18, 18"', and contact the .same 'so as to be forced downwardly whenis' depressed. The limb 18a'is provided with an overhanging-- lip is similarly provided with an -oppositely disposed overhanginglip branch .47, the two cooperating to form `guiding grooves'in which a plate 49 is adapted to the reducedl portion 46 of the-rack 40 so as' to lock the said raclr to the lever when-the Aplate is in the position shown in Figs; 2.

and 4, causing the rack to move 'in response to vthe movements of vthe control lever 18.

Whenever lthe plate 49 is moved lto a position to withdrawtheportion 46 slot 50, the upper end of therack 40a pro- 'jects freely upwardly betweenthe limbs of the contro'l lever, and Will therefore not respond to movements of the control lever 18. until purposely connected therewith.

The quantity of gas passing througlrthe olf' valve indicated at 51,

this valve being located at one side-of the casting 11 and is the knurled head 52. The generalconstruction ofthis'cutl oft valvecorresponds-to that of the controlA valie previously described, with'the exception of the provision of a knurled head instead of the pinion at its Aouter end, as

clearly shown in Fig. 3. This cut-olf valve is adapted to regulate the flow ofthe gas fed from the cutting gas supply 23. for a purpose to be subsequently more fully set forth. Likewise, the supply line for the fuel gases fed to thepipe 29 is pro-v vided with 'a similarly constructed cut-ofi'l valve indicated -at 53 equipped with the knurled `head 54, the valve 53 being located also at one side of the base casting 11.

The gas most commonly used for the cuttin;Ir gas is oxygen, which as previously def scribed .is supplied through the tube 14, while any'fuel gas may be used, suchA as through the tube 15. A portion of the fuel gas is mixed with a portion of the oxygen,

taken from the cutting gas s'upply"1ine,'

within the chamber 25 t0 form'the heating gaseswhich aredelivered thr ughjthe pipes 26 and 5 to the nozzle.. with the fuel -gas passes through the branch passage 2T, pipe 2 8, andthe duct 23, itsi'low" therethrough being controlled by'manipula- -tion of the valve 51, andbeing deliveredto y the chamber 25at areduce'd pressure.

'The valves 5,1 andbeing set furnish' the necessary dow of gases to form the heat'-- 'ing gas,'.and' with. thejplate 49v moved to a .position to lock the rack 140, to'the control lever 18. the heating. gases are permittedto {iowto the nozzle to -plied through the pipe 4 from thev permitting the passage 27 is determined'by' a cut'- the .supplyof cutting gases to the nozzle.

y In case it line to the pipe i the fuel gas beingv supplied f 'responding' in Aconstruction to the The oxygen mixed produce theheating jet I in a well known 1nan1 1er,the control inten@ perature, none of the cutting during this time gas being supdue to the fact that the control-valve 34 in* '1 t-he supply line for the cuttingjgases is clo'sed. After the material to lieoperated upon has been *brought lto the desired temperature, by 'pressing the control llever. 18

downwardly, the control valve. 34 in the heating gasline isforced to move toward' its closed position due tothe/rotation of its' 4guiding stem by means ,ofA therack 4 0" and' its cooperating pinion. Duringthe closure o't' the said valve, the. control fvalve in the cutting gas 'supply line is forced to -nio've tov l its open position due -to the rotation of its f stern in the opposite direction, consequently flow of the cutting' gas tothe nozzle.' It is thus seen that with the parts in the position' just described, the supply of heating gases may be diminished or entirely. 'I

cut off simultaneously with'the-increase in i vis desirablefto actuate the control valves in the two supply flline's in d'ependently or" each other, s ary'to move the plate 49 gagcinent with therack 40a,.in jwhich in,-

it isf merely nec'es-A out of locklng'enstance movement of the control lever 18 'will result in merely cont-rolling 'thejvalve inthe while the liovv ofheating f, gases may be controlled by actuation, of the In the 'modified 'form illustrated in Fig. 46,

cutting .gas line,

pressure oxygen. vis' supplied through the pipe v6 0 and the fuel gas through the pipe Gland suitably formed. passages in the head 1 to the 4mixing chamber 62, the fuel 4gases'beplug 30 l Airi'g forced to flow through vthe plug 63, cor! in thepreviously ldescribed form,.- fittingwithinla recess` in' .the head. The

which is'located Within the valve plugv,

While the control lvalve for the heating ga'ses The valve 6 6'is of special eonstructionjadf ly threadedv adj aceilt gen 'for cutting p liifpbses lis indicated "at 64v valve .for i' controlling the flour of high pressure oxy :12.01

`indicated generallyat 66.. The valve 64- corresponds in construction Itova'1ve`34, pre-.2.12.5

la rA to one end of a shaft 74 suitably v .for rotary movement in a lug formed on rack 80, corres ending may be either connected i' 4of the pinion 73 and 72, resultingin rotation of the cup of heating g I -ing the control lever 18 to the sure oxygen within c to 10, the

'plate 16, and

this form the the head by operation With the interiorly threaded iii-- ner end of a cup shaped member 69 provided with the projection 70 fitting within a central aperture of a closure plug 71 fitted within the open end of the recess in which the valve isvdisposed. -The outer end of the stein 70 -is provided with a beveled pinion 72 which isadapted to niesh with a pinion 73 attached liouvriialled the head, a bracket 76 depending from-the pipe 61, and an apertured lug 77 formed at Vone side of the closure plate 1'6. Fixed to the end of the shaft 7 4 opposite the pinion .73' is a spur pinion 78 which is adapted to mesh with the rack teeth 79 formed uponvthe in construction with the rack 40a, s own in Fig. 4, with the eiril ception that the lower end thereof extends handle, in the manner clearly Fig. 6, said rack being urged`iipthe extension spring 80 The form illustrated in Fig. 6.operates as follows.: The depression or the control lever 18 actuates the control valve for the cutting lgases in the saine manner as in the einbodiment first described, and the, rack 80 or disconnected from the said lever as in said embodiment; Reciprocation of the rack 80 causes rotation 78, the shaft 74, the pinions shaped member 69.4 Rotation of the meinber 69 due to its threaded connection with the plug valve 68 canses the valve to be, revciprocated for the purpose ot regulating the flovir ot gases through the passage which it intersects, consequently controlling the lfiovv es to the nozzle. By connectrack 80 both the cutting gases and the heating gases may besimultaneously controlled, While by merelly discennecting the rack 8O from the convtrol lever, the flow of the. two -gases may A be independently governed.

It ivill therefore Vbe seen that the primary distinctions between the constructions sho-wn in Figs. 1 to 5 andthat illustrated in Fig. 6, iss/the mixing ot1 the fuel gas and low presthe head of the torch, and the disposition of the control valve-:tor the' heating gases in the head 4 thus reducing the dangers of baclofiring therebeyond.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 7 control lever is pivoted to the base casting 11 as at 80, instead of to the closure all of the control valves are base casting itself, instead o in separate blocks or in the head 2". In handle portion is connected to means of three supply pipes, 4'. for supplyingthe high pressure cutting oxylocated inthe gen and the pipes 81 and with suitable passages'in discharge into the common the head 2 and chamber 83 for 82, which connect delivering the heating gases to the nozzle. The supply ol oxygen is fed to the base easting through the nipple 8l, while the fuel gas is supplied through the nipple 85. The base casting is provided with three sets of passages, a main passage for supplying the cutting oxygen and which is connected to the inner end of the pipe 4, a branch passage 8G leading therefrom and delivering into the pipe 81, and a third passage establishing communication between the nipple 85 and the pipe' 82. The flow through these three passages is controlled by ,the respective valves 87, 88 and 89, all corresponding in construction to the control valves 34 in'the embodiment first described. Thevalve 87 is adapted to be actuated upon reciprocati'oi-i of the rackf90, While the Valves 88 and 89 are adapted Yto be actuated in unison by means ot' the vrack 91. sponds in construction to the rack 40 While the raelr 91 'corresponds to rack 40 with the exception that instead of being provided. with but a single set of rack teeth, rack 91- is equipped Withtivo sets of rack teeth indinection with the other tivol forms. Depres- Y sion of the control lever 18 results in the actuation ofthe control valve 87 governing the lioiv of cutting oxygen, While actuation of the rack 91 results in inov-ing both valves 88 and 89, consequently governing the flowv of the low pressure oxygen traversing the passage86 and -thefioW of fuel gases to the pipe 82 from the nipple 85. Control of both valves 88 and 89 in'unison, and in the same sense, has theultimate effect of governing-v the supply of heating gases delivered tothe chamber 83 and to the nozzle. Thefsame locking means is employed in, this embodiment as/in the previously described forms for permitting either simultaneous or independent actuation of the racks and 91 and the respective Valves associated therewith.

It is lthus seen a compact, neat and durable construction,

vone Which-possesses a neat` appearance and in which the several control mechanisms are encased, onewhieh is highly efficient in operation and easily manipulated by the hand of the operatorfwhich graspsftlie torch, and one in `which' thefiow of cutting and heating gases may be controlled either simultaneously o-r independently atthe will of the operator. llt is obvious that with the use of a torch of thekind described that the-flow 12 ofthe heating gases during the cutting operation may be entirelyv cut off or reduced to .a minimum thereby eilectingva decided sav- The rack 90 corre-J ipinions oithe that the invention provides ing' in the quantity of heating gases consamedi.V

heating' `fases l claim: adapted to move both said actuating mein l. A cutting torch comprising a nozzle bers, and means for selectively connecting adapted to deliver cutting and heating jets, 'and disconnecting the control member from. means for supplying a gas to form thecutone otl said actuating members. ting jet, means i'or supplying a gas to forni 7. A; cutting torch comprising a 'nozzle 70 the heating jet, and means t'or increasing adapted to deliver cutting and heating jets, the tlovv ot' cutting gas vvhile simultaneously a` suppl)v line delivering to form the decreasing the llow ot' heating gas lroin a cutting jet, a second supply line delivering single controllingl element. to form the heating jet, valves interposed f2. A cutting torch comprising a head in each of said gas supply lines, Separate 75 adapted to deliver cutting and heating jets` racl; hars operatively associatedwith each three suppl;v lines delivering to said ot'said valves7 a control lever for reciprocathead. one of isaid linesdeliveriiig gals to ,ing Loth said racks, and a catch for seleci'orm the cutting jet, said t\vo remaining tively locking and unlocking the said lever to lines delivering gases to Ytorni the heating one ot said racks. l 480 jet, a valve interposed .in each of said lines, S. A cutting torch vcomprising a nozzle and a common controlling element operativeadapted to deliver cutting and heating jets, l v connected to all of said valves, movement a supply line delivering gas to forni' the Cuto't' said controlling element in one direction ting jet, a second supply line delivering gas serving to open the valve in the line for supto form the heating jet, valves interposed in 85 plving the cutting gas and to close hoth the each ot' said gas supply lines, separate rick said .valves in the lines tor supplying ,the hars operatirel)v associated vvith each of said valves, springs urging said racks to move' in f`3- ifllflllg' 'Ol'lll (YOIHPI'SDQ' il nozzle one direction, a control lever abutting one of adapted to deliver cutting and heating jets, the raeiqs to move the same in the opposite 90 a supply-line delivering gas to i'orm the eut-` direction, and a catch for operatively conting jet, a second supply line delivering necting. and disconnecting the remaining to toi-m the heating jet. valves interposed in rack from the said lever. each ot said gas supply lines ,l'or directly t). cutting torch comprising a head controlling the saidcuttingaud heating jets,i7 adapted to delivercuttingand heating jets, 9 5

and means t'or simultaneouslv opening .one/ a hase casting at `the rear of the torch prool said valves while closing the other ol'said vided with three passagevvays, a pipe com valves. g A munieating with each ol said passageways` fl. A cutting` torch comprising a nozzle tor conducting gas therefrom tothe said adaptedto deliver cutting and liea'tingjets. a head, one of said pipes supplying gas for the 10u supply line tordelivering gas to tornil the cutting jet, the remaining pipes supplying cutting jet, a second suppl); line delivering gases Yl'or the heating jet, a, valvecinterposed gas to lorm the heating je.t,\.'alves interposed in each oi' said passagevvays, and a common in ea h'ot said supply linesylor controlling" control element tor all of said valves, movethe cutting and heating gases without alter'- meut ot said Acontrol-element in` one direction i195 ing the character thereof, and means ior serving loopen the valve in the pipesupplj selectively actuating said valves either in ing the cutting jet and 'to close the saidvreunison or independently of each other. maining valves.

A cutting torch comprising a handle, a 10. Acutting torch comprising a head lead provided witha delivery nozzle adapted; adapted todelli er. cutting. and heating jets, 310

. to form cutting and heating-jets, pipes opa base casting at 'the rear of the tol' li provided the heating jet, valves controlling the res-perf ly of the torch, la pipe connecting cclno tnating members operatively connected to eratively connecting the handle and head as with three' passageways, eac-h ofsaid passagea unitary structure, one of said` pipes1 deways having a valve seat interposed therein, livering gas to form the cutting jet, and a, valve cooperating with each of said valve another of sai'd pipes delivering gas to/for/in yseats,'hm/'ing its Stem extending longitudinal-- tive gas supplies to each of said jets without said passageways to the said head, onof sind altering the character'tereoi, and means ior pipes conducting gas to Supply the. cuttingselectively moving sau valves either m umjet, a control lever commonto'all of said son or independently of each other, the aevalves, operative comieCtOlS betWell 121155, im i tnating element for the last named means said lever and thestems of the valves, move, being' OCded Ildjacent the said handle. ment of said' lever inone'direction serving G. A cutting torch -comprising a nozzle to open the v alvle for controlling the iovv of adapted to deliver dutting and heating jets, the cutting gas and to close the remaining. a supply line deli' 'ering Agas to torni the valves. e K- eutting jet, a-second supply line deliveringl ln testimony whereof, I sign my name.v

e'asvto form the heating jet, valves interposed 4 l, ibn .each of said gas supply lines, separate ac V JAMES D'MLCUTCHEON' l itness:

\ EmvlN O. J'oiaNs.

eaelr of usaid'- valves, a control member 

